First build, fender strat loaded pickgaurd grounding question?

[Bogey]

So I finally have all the components for my first build and just have one question regarding grounding for my Fender SSS loaded pickgaurd. There's three ground wires; one for the tremolo claw, one for the output jack, and one to be screwed onto your (shielded) control cavity.

For various reasons I was planning on not putting any shielding (paint or otherwise) in the pickup/control cavity. What is the best thing to do with the ground wire that is meant to be screwed into it? Should I still screw it into the bare wood or remove it completely?

Thanks!

 

[mayfly]

either would work.  If it were me with a customers guitar I would insulate the end with some heatshrink and stow it out of the way in case they came back wanting shielding (those strats can be buzzy sometimes).

 

[Bogey]

either would work.  If it were me with a customers guitar I would insulate the end with some heatshrink and stow it out of the way in case they came back wanting shielding (those strats can be buzzy sometimes).

That's a great idea, thank you.

 

[Bogey]

So it looks like the middle pickup is dead… bridge and neck are working as expected. The wiring looks fine to me no obvious problems. When the middle pickup is selected and I touch a magnet there is no pop as expected, but there is some static while it is being touched.

Any tips on how to troubleshoot? I have a multi meter (but I’m not educated on how to use it).